New Orleans Pelicans News

The NBA schedule will be released Tuesday, August 6 at 5 pm CDT (UTC -5). There will be a special on NBATV discussing some of the interesting and marquee matchups at that time. We do know, however, that the Pelicans will play a preseason game against the Wizards at the University of Kentucky’s Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The game should feature former Wildcats Anthony Davis, Darius Miller, and John Wall. The game will be on October 19th at 6 pm CDT (UTC -5). Michael also told us why the schedule is more important than a simple planning tool for fans.

The Pelicans held dance team auditions this weekend. They have narrowed the field to 38 candidates. Boot camp was held today, and will continue Tuesday and Wednesday. Dance team contracts will be signed Friday evening and practices start late the following week. No word on the name of the squad, but there are more details here.

Anthony Davis, Tyreke Evans, and Austin Rivers have named 2014 NBA All-Star Jam Session Ambassadors. The Jam Session is an interactive fan event at the Convention Center during All-Star Weekend, and the Ambassadors are involved in its promotion.

Also, in non-news, Greg Oden did not sign with the Pelicans despite a strong effort from them. Oden leveraged that offer into a second year, a player option year at that, from Miami. This leaves the Pelicans’ Room MLE ($2,652,000) available. Michael gives some free agent options, not all of which would consume the MLE.

Around Bourbon Street Shots

Gerry V also gave everyone some compact summer reading assignments: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

Look for an In the NO podcast this week.

`Voices’ of the People

“Win now” is a bit of a misnomer. I’ve used it to describe the mindset of the team and I agree that it was wrong.

I think what the team has done this summer has challenged the team building/rebuild paradigm, leaving people grasping at ways to explain something entirely new. They are still building a team for long term success, it’s just a different way of doing so.

Mr. Benson is trying to re-brand this team. He is trying to sell us on the roster potential, cheaper seating at the venue, new team name, a renovated arena, a new practice facility & new uniforms. Since he wants US to buy in and get behind these changes it is only natural for us to comment on what we like and dislike.

42 Sense

The Greg Oden chase captivated Pelicans’ fans for a couple of weeks. Some loved the potential while others hated the idea that he’d just be a waste of money and a roster spot on a team that needs all the help it can get.

While Oden fits the profile of the players the team seems to want (potentially undervalued, defensively minded), both sides of the argument have merit. Having a 25-year-old, 7′ center that is a former first overall draft pick at under $3m a year is tempting, but the injury concerns are real for the Buckeye.

Reader Gary Walker did some research that we both want to share with you.

Let’s thank Gary for his initiative and work, which is the remainder of the article.

After doing some research, first thing first, Greg has had a total of four surgeries throughout his career. Three of which were microfracture surgeries. The other was arthroscopic.

Now, here is where it got interesting for me. I finally dug up exactly what a microfracture surgery is, and what I found was discouraging. It involves the drilling of many tiny holes into the bone of the knee to create a clot, which in turn gives the knee new cartilage to replace what has been destroyed. The thing is, the new cartilage that forms is known as fibrocartilage, and is significantly weaker than the hyaline cartilage that is supposed to be there. The surgery is virtually a last ditch effort to prevent knee replacement, and although common and effective among average people, it even takes a toll on them. It is very difficult to even give average effort in the NBA when coming back from one.

Last thing, most of the players that have moved on from the surgery have been guards and smaller players. A few have broke through, such as Zach Randolph, but more don’t. Amare Stoudemire has been up and down since having his and has never been the player he once was. The key thing to remember with all players that have had it and even recovered to half of what they were is that they only had the procedure once. Oden, despite having all the time in the world to recover, has had this procedure three times. He has had his knees drilled into numerous times and basically has no real cartilage left. No matter how much so many people, including me, wanted to believe, a man that weighs over 250 pounds at 7 feet tall with no cartilage in his knees will never be able to contribute 18 minutes a game for a full season. He can’t play a full season. He can’t do much more than 5 minutes a game if that.

So basically, we should wish him the best, but the damage done to his knees has been staggering.

Did the fans treatment of Gordon's injuries or Vasquez play during last season even tho it was a huge improvement from the yr prior impact odens decision one key line in his reason for picking the heat is that he wouldn't be criticized for mistakes

What wasn't mentioned in the article and perhaps too negative is the thought of how the team would respond to another injury. Oden is a player with all the potential in the world or at least he did BUT he can't stay healthy.. Is he already an old man in a chronically young man's body.... Currently his approach is do now or die.... So he won't have to play until the playoffs....

Are they serious.... what kind of shape will he be in after 82 games... although he has to get in games with players like Chandler, , Gasol, Lopez and Noah.... If he is successful he can move for the money and if not he is on the team of basketball's contemporary champion....

Now we don't have a big banging body on the team although the kid in the Summer League might be the one... But we only have 11 players with a limit of 15, I think... Demps will do something...

Thanks for the insight into Greg Oden's surgeries. i was one of the ones who was excited at the prospect of adding him, but I think it was more at the prospect of adding a high-profile talent rather than what he could actually contribute to the team. After reading your article, I believe the Pelicans are better off moving on without him.